A Few of FR's Finest.Every Day.12-22 to 25-06..Polar Express - Christmas Weekend

December 22, 2006 | Dolly Howard

[DollyCali]

The magical train ride found in the Book and the Movie are the backdrop to the glorious adventure held nightly for 5 weeks in NE Ohio as part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway (CVSR) offerings leading up to Christmas .

The story in a nutshell: A little boy, Jammie clad in jammies(FReeper material ) doubting Santa’s existence any longer, is whisked away one night on a magical train, that picks him up AT HIS HOME & takes him to the North pole where he views the magic of Santa, the elves and the life there. It is a short book with wonderful art work & was released in 1985.

At the Ohio Polar Express, this is captured in the several hour ride that parents & kids alike arrive in Jammies to participate in the fun. Thanks to the Polar express we now have a new dress category to add to Business casual etc. There will be Nighttime Jammies perhaps!

So very much goes on behind the scenes. For the ride of several hours for youngsters in wonderment along with their parents and grandparents, there is an amazing amount of ground work that is done. Professionals and volunteers all work together to make this a memorable part of the participating family holiday experiences. Many US cities have similar programs, we feel fortunate to be one of them.

Do you just decide THAT day, hey, lets go for the train ride tonight? Well, no NOT EXACTLY. The ride is sold out in late Summer and tickets chosen by lottery. There are actually two trains that converge in the North Pole. One begins in Akron heading North & the other begins in Independence heading south. They arrive at the N Pole about 15 minutes apart to gaze out the window at the merriment of Santa’s workshop, all the elves dancing (town folks, who have caught the spirit, Santa on sleigh, drummer boys, reindeer etc.

The deluxe Saint Lucie train car.which goes out each night is a luxury charter smf is sold out for next 3 years.. To say this activity is “in demand” is perhaps an understatement. This popular train, which runs in part through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park holds several other Christmas related series of Rides Mr. Jingeling's Holiday Express and Christmas Tree Adventure (train to neaby Peninsula & pick out /buy tree, return

In the story Polar express (as viewed in the movie) Director Robert Zemeckis revolutionized the art of animated film in 1998's WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT by dropping cartoon characters into the same frame with flesh-and-blood actors. In THE POLAR EXPRESS, live action and animation have merged seamlessly, resulting in sparkling super-realism. A landmark technique Zemeckis and his Sony Pictures Imageworks team call "Performance Capture" perfectly suits the tenor of this wondrous children's Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg

A disillusioned little boy, just old enough to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, has the adventure of a lifetime one fateful Christmas Eve. Clad in his pajamas, he climbs aboard a magic train to the North Pole, driven by a kindly train conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks who starred in both of Zemeckis's Academy-Award winning films FORREST GUMP and CASTAWAY). Among myriad jaw-dropping moments, the train plummets brakeless through crystalline mountains in a simulated roller coaster ride. Going off the rails, skidding sideways, and snaking violently across a frozen lake, the train arrives at the North Pole (a vast, glowing city of brick buildings)

At that moment, the car carrying the kids detaches and they're sent tumbling down never-ending chutes and slides until they land in the middle of Santa's Workshop.

In the body of the thread are pictures/commentary from the last regular “run” of the season. Try to check back regularly for new additions. Your are invited to join in the “magic”

[Temple Owl]

Merry Christmas

[Majie Purple]

Thanks for Your most recent sweet & beautiful replies to my posts!
Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

[La Enchiladita]

This is specially beautiful, Meg. Utterly sublime.

[La Enchiladita]

Christmas comes but once a year, but FRiends like you make it Christmas every day in my heart.
My sincere wishes for every one of you and yours…



Stay warm, stay happy, and...



May God continue to bless the United States of America

[The Mayor]

[Majie Purple]

Our Christmas's and Our lives are made merrier and safer 24/7 because of(((( God and His protection via Our US Soldiers and Allies!!!!!!!Thanks for Your 365 watch care.)))))

[Kitty Mittens]

I'm So Sorry about Fred, Dear (((((Dutchess))))).

[Majie Purple]

Great post Dita!

[Majie Purple]

Very sweet TY Rus;Jul & Fam!
Same to You all!

[The Mayor]

: )

[Kitty Mittens]

I'm So Sorry for your Loss, (((((Fredhead))))). My Thoughts and Prayers are with you.

[Lady Jag]

All the best to you and yours
Merry Christmas!!!

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you All for your Pings, and for the Breathtakingly- Beautiful Graphics that are a Delight to the Eyes!

[snugs]

[Majie Purple]

It's CHRISTmas across the pond!!!!!!!

[Majie Purple]

Re: Your sweet post/comment @ 213...T Y so much.
More to come... Jesus is my Fave reason to celebrate!
Yours too I already know You agree!

[Jack Deth]

Gifts





I was part of an odd and sadly growing situation
One where I had no essential initial participation
Where to save time, the oft mentioned "Middle Man" was cut out
And offset the balance of my Relationship, without a doubt
For I was The Middle Man and was not given a voice
Of just who would be My Human, a most intimate choice

"Oh, Shelly will just love her!" I heard my first Pretty One say
Over and over before I was a Kitten unwrapped on the last Present Day
And to give my first Pretty One credit, she was right
Though it wasn't a perfect example of love at first sight
We were good friends for quite a wonderful while
Until the following Warm Time when I was considered out of style

When I learned to live on my Instincts, cleverness and guile
To curl up under a tall tree that kept me from the falling snow
I see a House not far away and am drawn close by its glow
I've seen its Pretty Little One and her Family in the yard building Snow Men
Something my first Family never did, a promising Omen

Now that the Sun has been down, I've decided to glide up to a window
To see The Pretty Little One napping by the Fireplace's warm, inviting glow
A few scratches on its glass brings The Little Pretty One eyes open wide
A mutual and decision is made as the window begins to glide
The Pretty Little One lifts me up and warmth surrounds my fur
My new Family watches as she hugs me close and we share a life long purr


Jack Deth~ 12/24/06.

[onyx]

How truly special, Jack. Thank you for the ping and Merry Christmas!!!

[NicknamedBob]

Very nice, Jack. That's a keeper.

[Majie Purple]

Sweet CHRISTmas cat pic Jack & I really like the phrasing of "quite a wonderful while"!